Here's my plan for brakes

[jamal]

Well, I've had a set of WRX front calipers and brackets sitting in my room for awhile, and I think it's finally time I put them on. Plus my parents gave me a little cash to get my car in shape for the commute I'll have to do all summer.

So, here's the plan as of now (this is an n/a sedan, btw):

• WRX front calipers and OEM rotors
• Stock rear brakes
• Wagon prop valve
• PBR/Axxis metal masters all around
• ATE Superblue fluid

The metal masters are one of the few decent pads I see that are available for both my front and rear brakes. I think I'd like to run Axxis Ultimates or Carbotech Bobcats, but they're more expensive and it looks like I'd have to put on some WRX rear brakes, too (I could probably get the calipers and brackets for about $60). The metal masters are $73 shipped at importrp.com, which seems like a pretty good value to me.

Although, the WRX rear calipers have the same diameter piston as the wagon and turbo, right?

So I would probably have a closer to stock brake bias with WRX brakes all around and a wagon prop valve. And I'd have more pad choices.

Alright, now I'm just rambling. Any comments or suggestions? Would it be worth it to pick up some new rear calipers, too? I don't want my brakes to be too frontward biased.

Oh, one more thing: anyone know a place to get good, cheap front WRX rotors? $60-70 seems to be about the best price I can find, and many places don't even have the plain brembo rotors.

[scottzg]

wrx fronts and wagon rear calipers is still gonna move the bias forward, albeit slightly. All the prop valve does is raise the point where the fronts get all the brakong powr.

You should be happy with wrx fonts, wagon rears, and wagon bais valv.

[BAC5.2]

Carbotech makes a Legacy Turbo rear bobcat. It's not listed on their site, but they make it and it sells for something like $110 or so for the rear pair.

[skid542]

Sounds like a good route your taking. If you have the money I'd suggest upgrading your rears. But that's just if you have money, having good pads all around with good fluid will help a lot too.

[dscoobydoo]

Well, I've had a set of WRX front calipers and brackets sitting in my room for awhile, and I think it's finally time I put them on. Plus my parents gave me a little cash to get my car in shape for the commute I'll have to do all summer.

So, here's the plan as of now (this is an n/a sedan, btw):

• WRX front calipers and OEM rotors
• Stock rear brakes
• Wagon prop valve
• PBR/Axxis metal masters all around
• ATE Superblue fluid

.

Except for the wagon prop valve, this is the setup I have sitting on the apt floor waiting to go in.

[scottzg]

wagon caliper pistons are SS sized.

[jamal]

That's what I thought. And WRX rear calipers have the same size piston as the wagon and SS/TW, right?

Also, it's my understanding that any rear pad for an SS with fit a wagon or a sedan. Is that right?

[scottzg]

That's what I thought. And WRX rear calipers have the same size piston as the wagon and SS/TW, right?

Don't know for certain, but that makes sense as the wrx fronts are slightly larger and the wrx is slightly more nose heavy

[jamal]

Checked Josh's excel sheet, looks like WRX rear caliper is the same size as the SS, wagon, and 05 LGT, and the pistons are the same size as the 2-pot. The front pistons are all the same size for the SS, WRX, and 05 LGT, as well (and GC RS, I bet). That's interesting.

[Legacy777]

All the prop valve does is raise the point where the fronts get all the brakong powr.

A better way to look at is this. It allows the pressure to the rear brakes to be increased over the sedan setup (with the same brake pedal input force), which in turn allows more braking force/torque.

[scottzg]

All the prop valve does is raise the point where the fronts get all the brakong powr.

A better way to look at is this. It allows the pressure to the rear brakes to be increased over the sedan setup (with the same brake pedal input force), which in turn allows more braking force/torque.

i was very drunk when i posted that.

[jamal]

You drunk bastard.

Well, if bobcats are available for my rears (assuming pads are the same for all 3 calipers), I should be able to find some Axxis Ultimates, right? I think the bobcats are a little out of my price range.

So, Scott, where'd you get your Ultimates?

Oh, I've got another question. The guy I bought my front calipers thinks they're from the earlier 02 WRX, before they changed. I saw some diagrams with measurements of each pad but couldn't really measure the caliper brackets that accurately. The main difference I see is the little tabs attached to the calipers. I think that since my pads need these little clips, I'm right to assume that I need the earlier pads. I guess I could probably get him to send me the last 8 digits of his VIN if I need to.

[scottzg]

You drunk bastard.

Well, if bobcats are available for my rears (assuming pads are the same for all 3 calipers), I should be able to find some Axxis Ultimates, right? I think the bobcats are a little out of my price range.

So, Scott, where'd you get your Ultimates?

Oh, I've got another question. The guy I bought my front calipers thinks they're from the earlier 02 WRX, before they changed. I saw some diagrams with measurements of each pad but couldn't really measure the caliper brackets that accurately. The main difference I see is the little tabs attached to the calipers. I think that since my pads need these little clips, I'm right to assume that I need the earlier pads. I guess I could probably get him to send me the last 8 digits of his VIN if I need to.

A local shop, but im 80% that napa sells ultimates under their house brand.

[jamal]

80% sure, or 80% drunk?

ha ha, well, I'm going to bed.

[scottzg]

Like hell you are! get back here

[evolutionmovement]

I have the earlier brakes myself, but didn't have the VIN. I just took a chance and lucked out by needing the earlier ones. The only difference is the tabs from what I was told. Mine have two tabs on each side IIRC.

Steve

[jamal]

Yeah, I think I've got the earlier ones. Scott tells me that napa sells the ultimates under their own brand, so I'm just going to go in there with the caliper brackets to make sure they fit.

[scottzg]

Yeah, I think I've got the earlier ones. Scott tells me that napa sells the ultimates under their own brand, so I'm just going to go in there with the caliper brackets to make sure they fit.

I said i THINK. ...They look identical and have the beck arnley- axxis connection.

[BAC5.2]

Napa Premium Pads lasted me under 12,000 miles. Waste of money.

Hawk or Carbotech. My brake setup now is the tits, but I have significantly wider and stickier tires than you.

[jamal]

I was referring to the "ceramix" pads they have. I'll ask when I'm in there, otherwise I'll probably just go with metal masters. I can get a whole set for less than one set bobcats.

[scottzg]

here's some backstory.

I ordered some napa ceramics (prostop? something like that) but then went to a speed shop to pick up the ultimates they had in stock. I then went to napa anyway because the speed shop was out of non-really-expensive brake fluid. I had the pads, so i brought them in an compared. I couldn't see any difference. Beck-arnley sells axxis pads with a suffix at the end of the part number. napa sells other brand pads that have been repackaged. My conclusion was that those napa pads were rebranded axxis pads.

I don't like to assert stuff i dont know for certain, so i didnt mention in on the bbs, but it came up in a conversation with jamal.

I've run napa 'premium' as well, they lasted 17k and made much suck.

[evolutionmovement]

My brakes just saved my ass today (Hawk HPS or +, I forget now, with WRX fronts) when an idiot in an Escape stopped suddenly WAY back from a red light due to a 'do not block sidestreet' area even though two or three cars could've pulled up to the light without blocking the street nobody uses. I stopped with room to spare where I would've hit in most cars I've driven.

Steve